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4 TRIBUTE KENYA’S No. 1 FREE NEWSPAPER Opiata was a fearless defender of downtrodden Icon of rights struggles co-founded Haki Jamii where he worked with communities to uplift their status by Michael Arunga Economic, social and cultural rights champion Odindo Opiata took his last bow on Friday after succumbing to liver cancer. Incarcerated during former President Moi’s era, Opiata soldiered on even after being unceremoniously thrown out of the University of Nairobi’s school of law. I was privileged to interact with him, a man who has left a rich legacy. I first met Opiata in August 2001, then an advocacy manager at Kituo Cha Sheria. He was also a board mem- 0730144132/0709824132 STORIES FROM THE PEOPLE. CALL... If you’ve got an interesting story or a personal experience you would like to share out, send it to the [email protected] It stands a chance to be published Email: [email protected] SMS: 20001 TRUE SERVANT He was among the victims of the infamous Nyayo House torture chambers. He was incarcerated alongside other students like Oduor Ongwen, Wafula Buke, Mwandawiro Mghanga. He served at Kituo Cha Sheria with people like the Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Justice Jane Ngugi, Kamotho Waiganjo and Gichira Kibara. He spent the last days of his life agitating for enactment of the Resettlement and Evictions Bill into law. ber at Shelter Forum, where I had just landed myself a job. On my first day, I was scheduled to meet Opiata as part of my orientation. Damn the matatu that had to stop at every bus stop, I walked into Opiata’s office 10 minutes late. Painfully blunt Characteristic of him, he did not spare me even as I murmured a sincere apology. To my consternation, he loudly wondered what kind of new staff member keeps a board member waiting for them. He sarcastically said my lack of punctuality was a reflection of my attitude towards work. That was Opiata Human rights champion Odindo Opiata who succumbed to liver cancer on Friday. PHOTO: FILE for you, painfully blunt. A year later, we struck a close rap- port. I was appointed acting chief executive officer at a time when the organisation’s finances were dwindling. With Opiata and Elijah Odhiambo, we burnt the midnight oil, slaving to beat proposal deadlines for the European Union’s Democratic Governance Support Programme. Without the benefit of a finance officer, Opiata unselfishly loaned me Kituo Cha Sheria’s finance officer to give a hand, at a time when they were also working on their budgets. Thanks to Opiata, the proposals were successful, so once in a while we would go out to ‘drain’ our exhaustion and ‘thank’ our bodies. In 2004, Joshua Omotto, Opiata and myself decided to begin our own Trusts. Armed with Trust Deeds, we shuttled through the Ministry of Lands and Housing to have them registered. After some months, Omotto regis- tered Umande Trust, Opiata had Haki Jamii, and I, the Alliance for Development Communication Trust (ADECOT). But while Opiata and Omotto took the plunge of faith and remained focused, they ably took their organisations to the next level, but mine did not take off. Later, I ‘hibernated’ to Opiata’s office, when I had some serious writing to do. My mentor Hanging around the human rights crusader, he recognised my ability to effectively communicate and often consulted me in projects including editing a Kituo cha Sheria booklet on Economic Social and Cultural Rights that he had authored. My greatest collaboration with Opiata came in 2003 when, together with other advocates, we forestalled demolition of house settlement in Nairobi. Working with Opiata, he edified me on this violation by the government, which led us to organise a Shelter Forum marathon to raise awareness on such violations. It attracted the participation of thousands of Nairobi residents. Opiata enlightened me on land rights, secure tenure and its legal frameworks, capacity building that emboldened my resolve to work with the less privileged in the community. For this reason, I was invited to New Delhi, India, to make a presentation at an international conference in 2004 where I was honoured to meet the former UN Special Rapporteur on Housing, Miloon Kothari. I once engaged Opiata, a senior bachelor, on his past. He shared about the old repressive system that incarcerated him for four years. It was clear that in spite of time, the experience in jail had adversely affected him. As a young journalist, I still remember chilling stories of those who suffered torture for airing divergent views. I wondered if Opiata’s torture experience had something to do with his decision to remain a bachelor. As we lower Opiata to his final resting place, the ideals for which he stood by are certain to survive the test of time, especially land issues currently dogging the country. Rest in Peace dear friend. We will sure miss you! The writer is communications and media relations advisor with World Vision International. [email protected] Tuesday, August 26, 2014 / PEOPLE DAILY Grow with us and see us deliver your brand to the right customers! Or visit us at: Longonot Place, Kijabe Street, 8th Floor, Nairobi NAIROBI REGION Kimani Jamleck Evelyne Kerubo Ali Daniel Mokeira Kobie Patrick GET IN TOUCH TODAY Ruth 0722-352054 0721-313981 0721-792466 0723-716426 0731-650731 0708-114015 0722-887302 0723-794478 0722-796704 Pauline EASTERN REGION Nzile COAST REGION Khadija 0724-775870 0723-238982 NYANZA/SOUTH RIFT REGION Onditi 0711-669008 0722-757018 WESTERN/NORTH RIFT REGION Grace 0712-869011 0722-596202